A Governess for the Brooding Duke(37)
“Well, I perceived something very similar myself in church. And you are right; it certainly would appear that Lady Lyndon has a great affection for the children. That is something at least, is it not?”
“It certainly is, Miss. After all, they are just little children; innocent and sweet as all children are,” Daisy said with feeling.
“Things did seem to improve just a little once we were outside the church. His Grace and Lady Lyndon were speaking to a friend of theirs; Lady Louisa I believe.” Georgette raised her eyebrows in a way which she hoped would elicit further information from Daisy.
“Oh yes, that will have been Lady Louisa Wimborne, Miss Darrington.”
“Oh,” Georgette said, not knowing how to progress her line of questioning any further.
“I believe that Lady Lyndon is trying to edge His Grace in Lady Wimborne’s direction. For matrimonial purposes, you understand?” Daisy said, whispering again.
“Oh dear, but she seems such a bright young woman,” Georgette said without a thought. “Oh, please forgive me, Daisy. I should not have said that, and I really rather spoke without thinking.”
“Not at all, Miss Darrington. And I believe that Lady Wimborne is rather bright. And also …” Daisy paused for a moment and looked over her shoulder once more. “I believe that she is quite determined.”
Georgette knew immediately what Daisy meant. Lady Louisa Wimborne was as intent upon marrying the Duke as his aunt was intent for her to do so. In truth, Georgette could not help wondering if the young lady was so very intense that she could entirely ignore the Duke’s faults. Would the children be any better off for having Lady Louisa Wimborne as a guardian?
“I see,” Georgette said and finally relaxed enough to give Daisy something of a conspiratorial smile.
“I really must get back below stairs, Miss. I should not like Mrs Griffin to make things any worse for you.”
“Thank you, Daisy. And thank you for passing the time of day with me. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.”
“And I appreciate it also, Miss Darrington.” And with that, Daisy smiled and turned to hurry away once more.
Georgette had washed hurriedly in the stone-cold water and had swallowed down the spoiled toast with hot tea. At the end of it all, she rather thought that she was washed and fed, and that the result was very much the same thing, whether the toast was burned or not. Either way, Mrs Griffin was not going to upend her just because the Duke of Draycott was away on business.
Being ready early, Georgette made her way down to the schoolroom to await the children. However, when she was but a few feet from the door, she realized that they must already be inside, for she could hear the rough tones of Mrs Wells hanging heavily in the air.
“I have never known two such dreadful, willful little girls. I have told you before that you will not say words that I do not understand before me. His Grace does not want to hear Welsh, either in language or accent. You are in the home of the Duke now. A home of great repute. You are not in some dreadful little village in Wales!”
“That is quite enough,” Georgette spoke vehemently as she pushed the door open wide and strode in. “I shall take charge of the children now, Mrs Wells. You may go.”
“It seems that you have not learned your lesson, Miss Darrington.” Mrs Wells seemed intent upon having an argument right there in front of the children.
“Girls, if you just take a seat at the table, I will be back in a moment. I am just going to speak with Mrs Wells outside.” Georgette smiled at them and could see that they were both crying this time.
“How dare you speak to the children in such a way?” Georgette hissed the moment the two women were in the corridor with the door to the schoolroom closed firmly behind them.
“And how dare you speak to me in such a way? You are no better than me. You are only a governess.”
“But in terms of humanity, Mrs Wells, I think it is very safe to say that I am, indeed, very much better than you.” Georgette was so furious she fought an urge to strike the woman.
“This is not about humanity, Miss Darrington. The Duke does not want to hear Welsh spoken in this house, and if you want to go above him in that, I shall be very glad to inform His Grace of your willful behaviour.”
“Do not speak to me as if I were a child, Mrs Wells. You are not my nurse, and if I had anything to do with it, you would not be nurse to any child. How a woman in your position could terrorize little children in the way that you do is quite beyond me. Do you not think that they have already suffered enough in their short lives, Mrs Wells? Do you care nothing for the fact that they are orphaned and afraid in a house where nobody seems to accept them?” Georgette was shaking with anger.